The Fossil community and Fossil Charter School are
nestled in a quiet valley of north central Oregon. Approximately 100 miles from any urban areas (The Dalles
is about 90 miles, Bend about 110 miles), Fossil has
approximately 470 residents, while the school district
has a total of about 60 pupils, kindergarten through
twelfth grade.

Fossil Elementary School currently has 26
students K-6, and Wheeler High School has 17 students
in grades 7-12. With
a teaching staff of 9 and a support staff of 7, the
Fossil schools offer a variety of programs. Academic
programs at the high school include advanced courses in
mathematics, social sciences and science, as well as
courses in second language, fine arts and applied arts.
We also have a computer technology program as well as a
distance learning program where students can avail themselves of
other advanced courses.

At our elementary school the class sizes are very
small; they are all combination or blended classes
(currently Kindergarten, blended 1-2, blended 3-4
and blended 5-6) and average seven
students per teacher. We have a full computer lab, as
well as computers on-line in all classrooms. In
addition, we are currently in process of aligning curriculum K-12
to the new Common Core State Standards and changing the
paradigm of teaching.

At both of our schools, we offer a full slate of
extra-curricular activities and sports, including
football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, cross
country, tennis and track. Wheeler High participates in
the 1-A Big Sky League under a cooperative sports
agreement with Condon High School. The Fossil community
is a small, friendly place in which to live and go to school. It
has several churches and a variety of activities for residents, both
old and young, in which to participate. The community is especially noted for its open
fossil beds located behind the high school football field,
and our easy access to the internationally famous John
Day Fossil Beds National Monument.